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Cultural Skills Medals

The Sons of Norway Cultural Skills program is designed to serve several purposes: to encourage active participation in cultural activities, to enrich the lives of members of all ages, to provide the basis for special interest clubs and to provide new reasons for people to join Sons of Norway!

Specialist Track: The specialist award defines you as an expert in any one subject area. There are 3 parts to this track --

Learn the basics

Complete a larger project

Create and execute a new design or recipe of some sort (depending on skill chosen.)

Generalist Track

The generalist award requires diversity and the pin is awarded to any person who demonstrates basic skills in 3 different subject areas. (See list below.)

David and Nancy McCord and David and Marilyn Olstad have been very active in the Norwegian dance groups in Hanska, Minnesota.

Mentor Track: This track is for formal or informal teachers who help others in earning the above medals.

Master of Cultural Skills: Any of the above 3 tracks may lead to the Master's pin. To earn this medal, a person must complete all 3 levels of three activities or the basic level of 9 activities.

Cultural Skills Medals Currently Available

1. Traditional Norwegian Cooking

Level 1--Your Favorites

Level 2--Baked Goods and Desserts

Level 3--Meat or Fish Dishes

2. Reading Norwegian and Norwegian-American Authors

Level 1--Your Favorites

Level 2--Fiction

Level 3--Nonfiction

3. Collecting Norwegian and North American Stamps

Level 1--Collect General Norwegian & North American Stamps

Level 2--Specialize Your Stamp Collection

Level 3--Complete a Collection of a Ten-Year Period

4. Norwegian Rosemaling

Level 1--Basic Strokes, Flower Form, and Scroll

Level 2--Completed Design

Level 3--Create an Original Design

5. Genealogy--Family History

Level 1--Complete people 1­7 on a four-generation ancestor chart, etc.

Level 2--Complete four more people on the ancestor, family group chart, and document

Level 3--Complete all information for 15 people on the charts--document and write an essay

6. Hand Knitting

Level 1--The Basics

Level 2--Knit with Two Colors

Level 3--Create a Two or Multicolored Sweater (Based on Norwegian Designs)

7. Norwegian Language and Culture

Level 1--The Basics of Norwegian Language

Level 2--A Sampling of Norwegian Culture

Level 3--A Topic from Norwegian Language or Norwegian Culture

8. Hardanger Embroidery

Level 1--The Basics

Level 2--Complete a Larger Item

Level 3--Using Your Skills in Creative Ways

9. Figure Carving

Level 1--The Basics

Level 2--Complete a Detailed Carving

Level 3--Complete an Original Carving

10. Weaving

Track I

Level 1--The Basics-Make a Sampler

Level 2--Inkle or Card Weaving or Rigid Heddle--Complete a Project

Level 3--Create an Original Design

Track II (Floor or Table Loom Weaving)

Level 1--Produce a Sampler

Level 2--Make a Finished Project

Level 3--Create an Original Design

11. Ornamental Woodcarving

Level 1--The Basics

Level 2--Flatskurd

Level 3--Carve the Acanthus

12. Chip Carving

Level 1--The Basics

Level 2--Carve Borders

Level 3--Carve Rosettes

13. Folk Dancing

Level 1--Easy Dances

Level 2--Intermediate Dances

Level 3--Advanced Dances

14. Music and Musicians of Norway

Level 1--Folk Music: Roots of Norwegian Music

Level 2--The Nineteenth Century: Edvard Grieg & Contemporaries

Level 3--The Twentieth Century: Composers, Performers, Conductors

After becoming a member, you can begin earning the above medals. Specific requirements will be given to you when you join. Also note -- these skills change frequently! Once you have become a member, you can check out the current list in the "members only" section of the International Sons of Norway Site. (Note: there are also online booklets, and hints to help you complete each medal successfully!)

For more information on this program, please contact our Cultural Director.